Your ISD News & Updates
April 16, 2020
Section 35a Grants Update
In response to Governor Whitmer’s Executive Order suspending in-person K-12 instruction for the remainder of the 19-20 school year, the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) is providing the following guidance for use of 35a(5) and 35a(9) grant funds:
  • 35a(5) allows for the purchase of technology and software so as long as technology purchases (i.e. iPad/Chromebooks) are being used by K-3 students and include literacy instruction.
  • 35a(5) allows for the purchase of reading and instructional materials for K-3 students.
  • 35a(9) is specific to summer school programming and needs to include a monitoring piece. If LEAs can’t run a summer school, include the required monitoring, or utilize a program like Kids Read Now (similar programs are allowable as well), MDE would advise just carrying over funds until next summer.
  • LEAs are welcome to amend their 35a(5) and/or 35a(9) budget and/or programming at any time by sending a detailed email to MDE-EarlyLiteracy@michigan.gov for approval.
  • All 35a funds allow for one year of carryover. If LEAs would like to carryover 19-20 35a funds, please send an email to MDE-EarlyLiteracy@michigan.gov by 10/31/20 indicating your intent. Once approved, the LEA will have until 09/30/21 to expend or return the 19-20 35a carryover funds.
CTE Virtual Delivery Guidance
The Michigan Department of Education is providing guidance on the virtual delivery of Career and Technical Education (CTE) State Approved Programs.

Each state-approved program is required to incorporate four components:

  1. Integration of academic and technical skills to support core knowledge needs
  2. Laboratory hands-on learning to develop skills
  3. Work-based learning opportunities to further develop and apply skills
  4. Student leadership to support employability and career readiness skills 

To read the full article, click here:
Expanding Child Care Access
during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed an executive order extending a previous executive order regarding child care services until May 13 th . The order ensures that first responders, healthcare workers, and other critical infrastructure workers have access to child care and eases regulations regarding the provision of those services. 

To read the order in full, click here:
Michigan to Receive $89 Million
in Federal Funding

Michigan to Receive $89 Million in Federal Funding to Help K-12 Schools, Colleges Hit Hardest by Pandemic
The governor’s office Tuesday night announced that Michigan will receive an $89.4 million federal grant that will help K-12 schools, colleges and universities hit hardest by the COVID-19 pandemic continue providing educational services.

The Governor’s Emergency Education Relief Fund, which is part of the federal CARES Act, is administered by the U.S. Department of Education and was announced on Tuesday. Funding may be used to provide emergency grants to schools, colleges, and other educational organizations.

“It’s never been more important to ensure every Michigan student has access to a high-quality education, and this funding will help our continued efforts to provide remote and other critical educational services to all students in every corner of our state during the ongoing pandemic,” Governor Whitmer said. “In the weeks ahead, I will identify strategies that ensure this federal funding provides much-needed support to our schools hit hardest during this unprecedented crisis.”